Audio output

In this article we are going to talk about the audio output produced by the PD’s DSP. You can turn on the “Built-in DSP” asshown in the in the “GUI Overview“: one click on the check box on top left. When it is green, the PD internal DSP is turned on. You can adjust the output volume and select the waveform: sine or sawtooth.

Direct audio output

You can send to the speakers the clean direct audio output from the Harmonync. This is the easiest way to play the Harmonync.

Physical FX

With the same “Audio Settings” You can also send the audio to an external (physical) audioeffect first, and then to the speakers.

Virtual FX

Or you can send the audio to a virtual audio effect first, and then to the speakers.

Usually, software effects are loaded in a DAW. In some cases, an effect can also be distributed as stand-alone application.

NOTE: If you did not already know, DAW is the acronym for Digital Audio Workstation. In other words, any program such Logic, Cubase, Audacity, Ardour, Live, Reason, and so on.

In order to process the audio output by virtual/software effects, you can route the Pure Data output signal physically (through a wire) or virtually (through a virtual audio channel).

Soundcard: Physical wiring

If your soundcard has many outputs and inputs, you can easily wire an output port to an input port with a jumper cable.

ATTENTION: If you are using a DAW you have to set the proper output of Harmonync, and the proper input in your DAW before wiring, to avoid the generation of a loop, which could damage the speakers, or your ears if you’re using the headphones.

If your soundcard has many outputs and inputs, I think you’re able to properly route the PD audio output to the effected track on your DAW, or to any stand-alone audio processor. If not, read the next part.

SoundFlower: Virtual wiring

If your soundcard doesn’t fit, you have to use a virtual audio channel.

Since Harmonync is a stand-alone program and it hasn’t ReWire, VST or Audio Unit capabilities, you have to redirect the PD audio output to the input of your processing chain. The trick is to route the output signal from Pure Data to a virtual audio device. With the appropriate drivers and system settings, it is possible on Win, Mac and Linux.

As you may imagine, the configuration of a virtual audio channel is different among different OSs. In this tutorial, I will explain how to do it, using Mac.

If you are using Mac, the easiest way is installing SoundFlower (that is a OS X system extension that allows applications to pass audio to other applications).

Let’s see how to set up a virtual audio connection between the Harmonync and your software.

Now, you have to set “SoundFlower (two-channels)” as Input device in the preferences of your software. If your software has no input audio settings, you have to set the input device of the Mac under “System Preferences > Sound > Input”.
If you are using a DAW, you might also have to check the input channel setting on the single track. Create a new audio track, and load an effect on it. In many DAWs you have to arm the track in order to listen the processed audio.

Finally, in the Harmonync, turn-on the “Built-in DSP”.

Studio scenario

If you are composing in studio and using a DAW, I suggest to record the original MIDI performance (coming from the controller device) before send it to the Harmonync. It’s a bit more complex but, in this way, you can edit it and then mix down the audio coming from the Harmonync again.

First, record the original MIDI performance:

Then, mix down the audio output from Harmonync and record it into a track: